Tasmania relied on three half-centuries before Steve Magoffin rocked them late on the first day as they finished at 8 for 254. Ed Cowan began with a fifty and was joined on the list by Alex Doolan and George Bailey, who top scored with 58, but there was frustration that none of them went on, especially when Magoffin struck to collect 4 for 40.

Cowan leads the Sheffield Shield run list with 861 at 66.23 and he set up the platform with 57 before he was caught behind off Magoffin early in the second session. Doolan, who survived a drop from Mitchell Marsh, took over and had 53 when he was taken by Luke Ronchi off Michael Hogan.

Bailey, the captain, was also in control before slipping to the debutant Nathan Coulter-Nile and the side's position worsened with the loss of four wickets for 18. Dan Marsh (21) also made a start before he played on to Magoffin before Xavier Doherty was taken at second slip off Brad Knowles. Brendan Drew's edge gave Magoffin another victim and his final blow came in the last over when he removed Adam Griffith to another edge.

The late burst helped Marcus North feel more comfortable after his decision to send the Tigers in. Western Australia are fourth and Tasmania fifth on the table, with both needing to win to remain a chance of making the final.